Why So Many Denominations & the Reformation

Message Title: Why So Many Denominations and the Reformation

Speaker: Pastor Frank Winans

Key verses: John 17:20-23, 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:17-12, Ephesians 2:8-9

Sermon Notes:

The Bible teaches that we are saved by:

1. Jesus’ work on the cross plus nothing!
   1. If you add something to what Jesus did on the cross, then you are subtracting from what He accomplished on the cross.

Principles of the Reformation:

2. Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
3. Sola Fide: Faith alone. (Ephesians 2:9)
4. Sola Gratia: Grace alone. (Ephesians 2:8)
5. Solus Christus: Christ alone. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
6. Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God alone. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Why so many protestant denominations:

7. Some Protestant denominations separate over interpretation on secondary issues.
8. Some Protestant denominations identify over loyalty to their founding leader.

Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:

Getting to Know You option questions:

1. Who gave you your first Bible and do you know where it is now?
2. What is your favorite Bible/Bible translation and why?

Quick Review:

Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

Digging Deeper:

1. Read Romans 1:16-17. Martin Luther said that this verse changed the course of his life as he read it one night in his monastery. “It is not a righteousness that is by works or by penance or by indulgences or by absolutions or by prayers to the saints, but a righteousness that comes only by faith. By faith!” That was the truth that set him free. How do you think we can practically apply this verse in our spiritual lives today?
2. Read Jude 1:3. In 521, Martin Luther was willing to contend/die for the faith. Who would you say is the most courageous Christian that you have met in your spiritual journey? When was the last time you stood up for the faith? How did it make you feel?
3. God used the new technology of the printing press to bless the Reformation. How do you think God is using technology to bless the Church today? How is he using it to bless you today?
4. Do you think having different denominations is a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
5. Read 1 Peter 5:1-5. What does Peter say a leader should be like in God’s Church? In the time of Martin Luther, there was religious corruption in the leaders of the Catholic Church. Have you ever experienced religious corruption on your journey with Jesus? If so, how did it affect you and how did you overcome it?
6. Read John 21:15-17. Pray for the leaders of our church that they will continue to love Jesus, follow Jesus and lead our church as He directs us.

Taking it Home:

What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?